Lignans are chemicals commonly found in flaxseed, sesame seeds, berries, etc. However, they are most commonly found in flaxseed. Lignans are found in products that use flax seed. Before the mid-1900s flax seeds were used for the linseed oil. Linseed oil was used to make fabrics such as linen. Lignans can be found in any country that flaxseed may be found in.
Studies have shown a correlation between the high consumption of lignans and the reduced risks of diseases such as prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular disease. However, studies have shown that different types of lignan compounds may cause different health risks in the body. Lignans are a type of protein and proteins generally degrade rather quickly. However, when they are in a human or animal body, they still complete numerous steps before they degrade. If this were a worst case scenario and most animals consumed a rather large amount of lignans this would severely affect the environment. Natural lignans are formed inside the human body. They are produced by bacteria in the digestive tract. However, certain lignans are biosynthesized. If lignans were banned not only would the average american not have access to linens, they would also not have access to a lot of foods. Natural lignans are most commonly found in flaxseed, however, they are also found in different kinds of seeds, grains, fruits, and vegetables.
In summary lignans are useful in a lot of ways. They have very useful health benefits for different types of cancers. However, at the same time they have a few negative health implications. On the environmental side of lignans, there is not a sufficient enough basis to even consider restricting the use of lignans in products.
Background
Lignans are chemicals commonly found in flaxseed, sesame seeds, berries, etc. However, they are most commonly found in flaxseed. One of the conditions that lignans are used to treat is hair loss. It has been found that the phytoestrogens in lignans can help with male pattern baldness. The most effective use of lignans exists in cancer prevention. It was found in a number of human and animal studies that breast and colon cancer risks were reduced the most. Also, lignans have been found to help reduce cholesterol.
Lignans are found in products that use flax seed. Before the mid-1900s flax seeds were used for the linseed oil. Linseed oil was used to make fabrics such as linen. In the 1800s there were two main fabrics that everyone wore. They were either wool or linen. Since flaxseed was grown in nearly every state east of the Mississippi River, linen was a common way to go. The linseed oil that comes from flax seed can still be found in hardware stores as a preservative finish for wood. Today linen clothes are still being worn, though not as much, the demand for linen is beginning to rise again. Lignans can also be found in any foods that contain flax seed or some cereal grains. However, it is most widely used as a feed for livestock.
Studies have shown that lignans help reduce a number of health risks. Some of the health risks they help reduce include cancer and cholesterol. However, it also has been known that there may have been other factors that may have reduced these risks in subjects. It is also unproven, but it is believed that flaxseed helps build energy and stamina.
Lignans can be found in any country that flaxseed may be found in. This means that they can be found in countries that produce or import linens, certain wood preservative finishes, and certain cereal grains.
Synthesis/Production
Natural lignans are formed inside the human body. They are produced by bacteria in the digestive tract. They come from plant foods such as flax seed. However, certain lignans are biosynthesized. When biosynthesized certain lignans such as pinoresinol, podophyllotoxin, and steganacin, are formed. To make these biosynthesized lignans, monolignols, which are chemicals used for biosynthesis, are used to form a dibenzylbutane skeleton. A dibenzylbutane skeleton is the molecular structure of the lignan. They then form a neolignan, which is a new biosynthesized lignan. The process of making a neolignan is shown below. Below the first image is a picture of mammalian lignans, enterodiol and enterolactone, which are usually formed in the body.
Human Health Implications
Lignans and human consumption produce a large scale of human health implications. Studies have shown a correlation between the high consumption of lignans and the reduced risks of diseases such as prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular disease. These are all positive health implications, however there are a few negative health implications that come with the consumption of lignans.
When lignans enter the body they react with different chemicals and form compounds such as enterodiol and enterolactone. Studies have shown that different types of lignan compound may cause different health risks in the body. A study was taken using pregnant rats that produced alarming results. Pregnant rats were given lignans in foods such as flaxseed to make up 5% of their diets. The rats later gave birth to offspring with altered reproductive organs and functions. They also found that lignans were transferred to the offspring during nursing. 5% of human diet would be equal to 25g of flaxseed per day. During these studies it was also found that a high intake of lignans may not be safe for women who have a history of cancers, such as breast cancer and uterine cancer. A small number of studies found that certain cancer cells can be stimulated by lignans. Therefore, woman who are pregnant or have a history of the cancers should try to stay away from high sources of lignans such as flaxseed.
Environmental Implications
The environmental implications of lignans have a lot to do with the animals that live in the environment. The most basic way that lignans are disposed of is through excretion. However, since humans and animals digest food the lignans are broken down and may still affect humans and animals. This affects the environment because phytoestrogens are known to cause infertility in male and female animals. If animals cannot produce, they cannot provide the needs of the environment.
Lignans are a type of protein and proteins generally degrade rather quickly. However, when they are in a human or animal body, they still complete numerous steps before they degrade. If this were a worst case scenario and most animals consumed a rather large amount of lignans this would severely affect the environment. Infertility in animals could possibly cause the extinction of a species. If a valuable species were to go extinct it would not only affect the natural environment, but it would also affect the human environment. Humans depend on animals for many products. If there were few animals, humans would have to depend on natural resources for food and other products, which could mean tearing down the Rainforest for agricultural zones and so forth.
Economic/Political Impact
Lignans are most commonly found in flaxseed, also known as linseed. Flax is the most important ingredient in making the fabric, Linen. Linen has been used for thousands of years. If lignans were banned in any country it would mean the end of linen in that country. Thousands of years ago this would have been very unfortunate, since linen was one of the most used fabrics back then. However, in today’s current society this would not have a major impact on the world.
For hundreds of years cotton has been becoming more and more of a popular fabric. Now it is the most popular and commonly used fabric available. Therefore, if lignans were banned, the alternative fabric would most likely be cotton. Cotton is also a lot more affordable than linen because it can be produced in masses much easier. The main countries that export lignans in flaxseed are the U.S., Canada, and China.
If lignans were banned not only would the average american not have access to linens, they would also not have access to a lot of foods. Natural lignans are most commonly found in flaxseed, however, they are also found in different kinds of seeds, grains, fruits, and vegetables. In even the smallest amounts, lignans are found in all of these different foods. If lignans were banned this would cause a major problem. This would most likely never happen because there would not be significant reasons to ban this chemical. Therefore it would most likely never make it through Congress, because it would lead to the end of too many foods.
Summary
In conclusion, lignans are useful in a lot of ways. They have very useful health benefits for different types of cancers. However, at the same time they have a few negative health implications. As previously mentioned, the high intake of lignans in pregnant women can be particularly harmful. This does not necessarily mean there has to be any type of ban and/or restriction of the consumption of lignans. However, this should be made aware to pregnant women. Lignans in 5% or more of a pregnant women’s diet may cause her offspring to have birth defects.
On the environmental side of lignans, there is not a sufficient enough basis to even consider restricting the use of lignans in products. Lignans cause no significant harm to the environment in any way. Lignans are a natural chemical found in plants. They have been here forever and are even in a lot of foods that Americans consume everyday. The ban or restriction would end the use of basic products that some people use to survive.
PSA (Public Service Announcement)
Attention Pregnant woman: If you consume high amounts of flaxseed a day, you are putting your unborn children at risk. Flaxseed contains naturally found chemicals known as lignans. Lignans can be found in seeds, nuts, breads, fruits, and vegetables, but most commonly flaxseed. High consumption of this chemical has been proven to cause defect in the reproductive organs of newborns.. If you are pregnant please moderate your consumption of flaxseed for your baby.
Table of Contents
Lignans
Abstract
Lignans are chemicals commonly found in flaxseed, sesame seeds, berries, etc. However, they are most commonly found in flaxseed. Lignans are found in products that use flax seed. Before the mid-1900s flax seeds were used for the linseed oil. Linseed oil was used to make fabrics such as linen. Lignans can be found in any country that flaxseed may be found in.
Studies have shown a correlation between the high consumption of lignans and the reduced risks of diseases such as prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular disease. However, studies have shown that different types of lignan compounds may cause different health risks in the body. Lignans are a type of protein and proteins generally degrade rather quickly. However, when they are in a human or animal body, they still complete numerous steps before they degrade. If this were a worst case scenario and most animals consumed a rather large amount of lignans this would severely affect the environment. Natural lignans are formed inside the human body. They are produced by bacteria in the digestive tract. However, certain lignans are biosynthesized. If lignans were banned not only would the average american not have access to linens, they would also not have access to a lot of foods. Natural lignans are most commonly found in flaxseed, however, they are also found in different kinds of seeds, grains, fruits, and vegetables.
In summary lignans are useful in a lot of ways. They have very useful health benefits for different types of cancers. However, at the same time they have a few negative health implications. On the environmental side of lignans, there is not a sufficient enough basis to even consider restricting the use of lignans in products.
Background
Lignans are chemicals commonly found in flaxseed, sesame seeds, berries, etc. However, they are most commonly found in flaxseed. One of the conditions that lignans are used to treat is hair loss. It has been found that the phytoestrogens in lignans can help with male pattern baldness. The most effective use of lignans exists in cancer prevention. It was found in a number of human and animal studies that breast and colon cancer risks were reduced the most. Also, lignans have been found to help reduce cholesterol.
Lignans are found in products that use flax seed. Before the mid-1900s flax seeds were used for the linseed oil. Linseed oil was used to make fabrics such as linen. In the 1800s there were two main fabrics that everyone wore. They were either wool or linen. Since flaxseed was grown in nearly every state east of the Mississippi River, linen was a common way to go. The linseed oil that comes from flax seed can still be found in hardware stores as a preservative finish for wood. Today linen clothes are still being worn, though not as much, the demand for linen is beginning to rise again. Lignans can also be found in any foods that contain flax seed or some cereal grains. However, it is most widely used as a feed for livestock.
Studies have shown that lignans help reduce a number of health risks. Some of the health risks they help reduce include cancer and cholesterol. However, it also has been known that there may have been other factors that may have reduced these risks in subjects. It is also unproven, but it is believed that flaxseed helps build energy and stamina.
Lignans can be found in any country that flaxseed may be found in. This means that they can be found in countries that produce or import linens, certain wood preservative finishes, and certain cereal grains.
Synthesis/Production
Natural lignans are formed inside the human body. They are produced by bacteria in the digestive tract. They come from plant foods such as flax seed. However, certain lignans are biosynthesized. When biosynthesized certain lignans such as pinoresinol, podophyllotoxin, and steganacin, are formed. To make these biosynthesized lignans, monolignols, which are chemicals used for biosynthesis, are used to form a dibenzylbutane skeleton. A dibenzylbutane skeleton is the molecular structure of the lignan. They then form a neolignan, which is a new biosynthesized lignan. The process of making a neolignan is shown below. Below the first image is a picture of mammalian lignans, enterodiol and enterolactone, which are usually formed in the body.
Human Health Implications
Lignans and human consumption produce a large scale of human health implications. Studies have shown a correlation between the high consumption of lignans and the reduced risks of diseases such as prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular disease. These are all positive health implications, however there are a few negative health implications that come with the consumption of lignans.
When lignans enter the body they react with different chemicals and form compounds such as enterodiol and enterolactone. Studies have shown that different types of lignan compound may cause different health risks in the body. A study was taken using pregnant rats that produced alarming results. Pregnant rats were given lignans in foods such as flaxseed to make up 5% of their diets. The rats later gave birth to offspring with altered reproductive organs and functions. They also found that lignans were transferred to the offspring during nursing. 5% of human diet would be equal to 25g of flaxseed per day. During these studies it was also found that a high intake of lignans may not be safe for women who have a history of cancers, such as breast cancer and uterine cancer. A small number of studies found that certain cancer cells can be stimulated by lignans. Therefore, woman who are pregnant or have a history of the cancers should try to stay away from high sources of lignans such as flaxseed.
Environmental Implications
The environmental implications of lignans have a lot to do with the animals that live in the environment. The most basic way that lignans are disposed of is through excretion. However, since humans and animals digest food the lignans are broken down and may still affect humans and animals. This affects the environment because phytoestrogens are known to cause infertility in male and female animals. If animals cannot produce, they cannot provide the needs of the environment.
Lignans are a type of protein and proteins generally degrade rather quickly. However, when they are in a human or animal body, they still complete numerous steps before they degrade. If this were a worst case scenario and most animals consumed a rather large amount of lignans this would severely affect the environment. Infertility in animals could possibly cause the extinction of a species. If a valuable species were to go extinct it would not only affect the natural environment, but it would also affect the human environment. Humans depend on animals for many products. If there were few animals, humans would have to depend on natural resources for food and other products, which could mean tearing down the Rainforest for agricultural zones and so forth.
Economic/Political Impact
Lignans are most commonly found in flaxseed, also known as linseed. Flax is the most important ingredient in making the fabric, Linen. Linen has been used for thousands of years. If lignans were banned in any country it would mean the end of linen in that country. Thousands of years ago this would have been very unfortunate, since linen was one of the most used fabrics back then. However, in today’s current society this would not have a major impact on the world.
For hundreds of years cotton has been becoming more and more of a popular fabric. Now it is the most popular and commonly used fabric available. Therefore, if lignans were banned, the alternative fabric would most likely be cotton. Cotton is also a lot more affordable than linen because it can be produced in masses much easier. The main countries that export lignans in flaxseed are the U.S., Canada, and China.
If lignans were banned not only would the average american not have access to linens, they would also not have access to a lot of foods. Natural lignans are most commonly found in flaxseed, however, they are also found in different kinds of seeds, grains, fruits, and vegetables. In even the smallest amounts, lignans are found in all of these different foods. If lignans were banned this would cause a major problem. This would most likely never happen because there would not be significant reasons to ban this chemical. Therefore it would most likely never make it through Congress, because it would lead to the end of too many foods.
Summary
In conclusion, lignans are useful in a lot of ways. They have very useful health benefits for different types of cancers. However, at the same time they have a few negative health implications. As previously mentioned, the high intake of lignans in pregnant women can be particularly harmful. This does not necessarily mean there has to be any type of ban and/or restriction of the consumption of lignans. However, this should be made aware to pregnant women. Lignans in 5% or more of a pregnant women’s diet may cause her offspring to have birth defects.
On the environmental side of lignans, there is not a sufficient enough basis to even consider restricting the use of lignans in products. Lignans cause no significant harm to the environment in any way. Lignans are a natural chemical found in plants. They have been here forever and are even in a lot of foods that Americans consume everyday. The ban or restriction would end the use of basic products that some people use to survive.
PSA (Public Service Announcement)
Attention Pregnant woman: If you consume high amounts of flaxseed a day, you are putting your unborn children at risk. Flaxseed contains naturally found chemicals known as lignans. Lignans can be found in seeds, nuts, breads, fruits, and vegetables, but most commonly flaxseed. High consumption of this chemical has been proven to cause defect in the reproductive organs of newborns.. If you are pregnant please moderate your consumption of flaxseed for your baby.
Citations (Sources)
Health Library. Lignans. Retrieved March 27, 2008, from
http://healthlibrary.epnet.com/GetContent.aspx?token=e0498803-7f62-4563-8d47-5fe33da65dd4&chunkiid=21801 More Details
Wikipedia. Lignan. Retrieved March 27, 2008, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lignan More Details
dietaryfiberfood.com. Lignan: foods high in lignans. Retrieved March 27, 2008, from http://www.dietaryfiberfood.com/lignan.php More Details
soyonlineservice.co.nz. Hormonally Active Agents In The Environment. Retrieved March 27, 2008, from http://www.soyonlineservice.co.nz/articles/phyto1.htm More Details
wikipedia.org. Monolignol. Retrieved March 27, 2008, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monolignol More Details
natlife.com. Ultra Flaxseed Lignans. Retrieved March 27, 2008, from http://www.natlife.com/PPS/UltLgnFlxPPS.htm More Details
wikipedia.org. Flax. Retrieved March 27, 2008, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linseed More Details
Citations(PSA Pictures)
http://www.dkimages.com/discover/previews/884/20103798.JPG
http://bulkecandy.com/images/bk_nuts_almond.jpg
http://www.margarine.org.uk/images/bread2.jpg
http://www.savvy-spa.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2006/11/flax_seed.JPG
http://www.dsf.health.state.pa.us/health/lib/health/familyhealth/pregnant_woman.jpg
http://www.pachd.com/free-images/food-images/strawberries-01.jpg
http://www.co.westchester.ny.us/health/FitKids/MayorsChallenge/Vegetables.jpg
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